Page 40 of The Winter Rogue
Drew continued caressing the keys, coaxing every emotion that rattled around in his chest from the music.As the piece came to a close, moisture welled in his eyes, causing him to blink repeatedly.
Applause sounded, startling him out of his thoughts.He looked up to find not Polly, but—Lord Brookhaven?
“That was beautiful.I did not know you were such an accomplished player.”
Drew cleared his throat as he stood.“Thank you, my lord.I fear I am not nearly so proficient as my dear mother would have liked.I have not played in some time.”
“It was an excellent rendition of a tragic piece.If I recall correctly, Beethoven wrote that for his lost love.”Lord Brookhaven looked at him pointedly.
“In…indeed,” Drew nodded.“She was young and her father refused his suit when he asked.”
Lord Brookhaven inclined his head.“Do you perhaps have a moment for me?”
Curiosity piqued, Drew held out a hand toward the hall.“Why don't we retire to my study where I can offer you a libation?”
“That sounds like a welcome idea.”Charlie's father seemed far more affable than any of the last few times they had met.What on earth had occurred—and was there any chance that the man’s daughter had accompanied him?
Apparently not.As they settled by the fire with their respective drinks in hand, Drew couldn't stand the suspense.“To what do I owe the honor of your visit?”
Lord Brookhaven snorted.“I believe the last time I met you here, I was perhaps a tad precipitous in my handling of the situation.”
“How so?”Drew asked, unwilling to offer the man an easy way out of his apparent apology.The man would have to earn it.
The older gentleman took a sip of his scotch and cleared his throat.“I believe I treated you as a predator, and not the rescuer you were.My daughter has made it abundantly clear that you were a perfect gentleman.A man of honor.”
Drew nearly choked on his scotch as he digested those words.He would not call himself a perfect gentleman, but he did care for her, he wanted to marry her.Perhaps it didn't matter when their wedding night came, if they eventually reached the desired state.Or perhaps what he was about to do was not the cleverest idea in the world.“I appreciate her efforts, but my lord, I feel I must be honest with you.”
Lord Brookhaven's gaze pinned him in his chair.“About what?”
“I am no gentleman.Not now, nor have I ever been,” Drew said clearly, holding his head high.“I am a sailor at heart, a businessman out of necessity, and a man in love by a possibly cruel twist of fate, depending on why you are here.”
The other man relaxed his shoulders, though not entirely.“I don't suspect my daughter spent nearly a sennight in a house alone with a virile man and did not…let us say, make choices I would prefer she had not.But she is a woman and a strong minded one, so I do not hold you solely responsible for her conduct.”He sighed.“And on such a topic, I have also been made aware that I am the primary obstacle to the two of you finding, and I quote 'eternal happiness'.You can blame my wife for that poetic phrasing.”
Drew tried very hard to repress the grin that threatened to appear.“I see.And what, if anything, are you planning to do about that?”
“I am here to rescind my promise of retribution for sullying my daughter's reputation.You proved the other night that you are no threat to her, and truly you are nothing if not her champion.Without placing any pressure on you, I want to apologize for my hasty threat and ask your forgiveness in the matter.”Lord Brookhaven looked quite unlike himself—utterly contrite.
Drew nodded gravely.“I imagine you went easy on me, considering your suspicions.I might be less gracious when my turn comes to protect a daughter one day.”
A laugh barked free of Lord Brookhaven.“I promise my daughter's presence is the only thing that stayed my hand in becoming violent.The females in our lives are a gentling influence, whether or not we realize it.”
Drew smiled.“I can certainly agree with that.”
Lord Brookhaven cleared his throat.“I have also been instructed to extend an invitation to yourself and any of your staff who are in residence to join us for Christmas dinner tomorrow.”
Drew's heart lurched in his chest.This time, the invitation came from Charlene ‘s parents, and was approved.“That is very kind of you.”
“Do not be fooled, boy.It is a very self-serving invitation, as I fear for my life should you not accept.”The older gentleman drained the last of his glass and set it down.“I assume you will come.”
“We would be delighted to attend.”Drew followed suit and finished off his drink.
The men stood and shook hands.
“Please tell Lady Brookhaven that I appreciate the invitation and look forward to spending Christmas with you all, as do my housekeeper and stable master.They would enjoy seeing your coachman, John.”
“Excellent.No need to bring anything else, my wife has once again planned a feast fit for twenty.”Lord Brookhaven chortled and turned to leave.
“Very well.”Drew smiled and escorted Charlie's father from his home.Then he went in search of Polly to alert her to their change in plans.
